30 FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 
same afternoon—June 28, 1894. It was with interest and 
enthusiasm that each of the commissioners took up the work 
entrusted to him. A position and condition of trust had 
been imposed and accepted, with the sincere desire, I believe 
shared in by all, to be loyal to that trust and the obligations 
incurred. 
With the prevalent sentiment of confidence that had been 
extended by the public, by the Legislature, by the press 
and by the court, what greater incentive could be placed 
before a body of men than was thus placed immediately be- 
fore the commission at that time? The members soon 
found that in the work before them they were both officially 
and personally congenial, and that differences in conviction 
were soon moulded into harmonious action for a common 
purpose. Such was the fact; and as I now cast a reflective 
view back to the efforts and results attained by that board, 
it occasions in my mind less surprise than ever before 
that this preliminary commission should have accomplished 
in about half a year that which it was authorized to occupy 
two years in doing, and that less than one-half of the avail- 
able appropriation of $10,000 had been expended. 
The organization of the board took place at the Board of 
Trade rooms, Newark. In talking with Mr. Peck prior to 
the board meeting, he had suggested that, as I had formu- 
lated the plan that had proven so acceptable, I should be 
the first president, and I was chosen temporary chairman. 
The judge later sent word by his friend, Commissioner 
Jackson, that he desired Mr. Peck should be president. 
No reasons were stated. The commission was not a com- 
mittee for organization under parliamentary rules, but a 
legally constituted body, with clearly defined duties and 
powers, and presumably possessing inherently the unques- 
tionable right of providing for its own organization. As, 
however, Mr. Peck resided in Newark, which city repre- 
sented the largest population in the county, we acquiesced. 
Nevertheless, we did not recognize the judge’s right to in- 
terfere. I was then elected vice-president and Mr. Jackson 
was agreed upon as temporary secretary. 
